CRAWLEY TOWN 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 4
Striker Conor McAleny ended his 11-match scoring drought as Oldham Athletic posted an eighth away win of the season at Crawley Town.
McAleny scored his 17th and 18th goals of the campaign as Latics recorded the most emphatic of their away-day successes at Broadfield Stadium.
It was also only a second win from eight attempts for Keith Curle since he was appointed head coach and successor to Harry Kewell.
The four goals were reward for an authoritative all-round performance which saw Latics dominate throughout as they dominated possession, created countless chances and oozed confidence.
It was hard to believe Latics had one victory in nine previous games on the evidence of their display while out-of-form Crawley are now winless in six and badly out of form.
Having controlled the first half from the off, gradually getting closer to an opening goal, Latics scored twice in as many minutes just before the interval through McAleny and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.
Back among the goals, McAleny was on target again three minutes after half-time and despite conceding a late goal, there was still time for Bahamboula to mark his return from international duty with Congo by scoring the fourth in stoppage time.
Curle made three changes from the home defeat to Stevenage as out went Andrea Badan, Ben Garrity and Nicky Adams who were replaced by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Dylan Fage and Dylan Bahamboula.
Latics’ intentions were clear from the outset, McAleny’s early shot charged down by Joe McNerney and that set the tone for what was to follow.
Glenn Morris saved from both Callum Whelan and Bahamboula before the Crawley goalkeeper had to be alert to make a fine double-save to deny Whelan and Davis Keillor-Dunn in quick succession.
Midway through the half, Alfie McCalmont lifted an effort over after another quick Latics break, this time involving good work from Davis Keillor-Dunn on the right.
Harry Clarke directed a header wide before McAleny went close with another effort as Latics continued to press forward and move the ball quickly.
At that stage, the only question was whether Curle’s side would make the breakthrough before half-time.
Five minutes before the interval, they did just that, Keillor-Dunn playing a magnificent through-ball to pick out the run of McAleny who applied an assured finish.
And no sooner had they found a way through than Latics had two, Borthwick-Jackson netting his first league goal for Latics with a fine angled finish after cutting in from the left.
Clearly buoyed by their bright football and deserved goals, Latics came out for the second period with the same intent, and they were soon celebrating again.
This time McAleny broke into the Crawley box before sliding a low finish past Morris.
There was to be no let-up from Latics as they continued on the front foot, Keillor-Dunn and Whelan both going close before Borthwick-Jackson sent an angled shot past the far post.
Bahamboula’s low free kick was claimed by Morris and the Congo international displayed tremendous footwork to engineer a chance for McAleny to send the ball wide.
Laurie Walker made an excellent fingertip save to touch over Jack Powell’s free kick. From the resulting corner, James Tilley pulled a late goal back for Crawley, but Latics had the final say.
After an initial effort from Adams was blocked by Morris, Bahamboula turned the ball home from close range, marking his return to the side in style and crowning an excellent all-round team performance.
Oldham Athletic: Walker, Clarke (Adams 72), Borthwick-Jackson, Piergianni, Whelan (Garrity 61), Keillor-Dunn (Hissner 65), Fage, Jameson, McAleny, Bahamboula, McCalmont (Ntambwe 72). Subs (not used): Chapman, Badan, Diarra.
Goals: Tilley, 90, for Crawley. McAleny, 40. 47, Borthwick-Jackson, 42, Bahamboula 90+5 for Oldham.